Dhee Ayn Village, Al Baha
Glowing white in the sunlight, Dhee Ayn is known as the Marble Village thanks to the rocky marble outcrop it’s built on top of. However, the houses themselves – and there are only fifty or so left today – are made of ordinary pale stone and slate, but still impress. Dating from around 400 years ago (although the village was established around the 10th century) they were left abandoned a few decades ago until Saudi’s Commission for Tourism and National Heritage started a programme to turn this heritage site into a popular destination for visitors. A stroll around its sleepy, picturesque streets is perfect fodder for the ’Gram.
Hegra, AlUla
Carved red rock, mysterious origins, ancient tombs and gathering places make up the fascinating archaeological site of Hegra deep within the desert of AlUla. The majority of the remains date back nearly 2,500 years, when the site was a settlement of the ancient Nabatean nomads. There are 111 structures remaining – mostly decorated, monumental tombs – which became Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Come during the day, when the sun throws down elaborate shadows, or at sunset, when the sinking rays render the red sandstone aflame.
Al Naslaa Rock, Tayma
Puzzling, magnificent and gravity-defying are the words that will spring to mind when you get the camera out to capture Al Naslaa Rock. This ancient petroglyph consists of two giant boulders balancing on two small rock platforms with a wafer-thin gap separating them – as if it were once a single boulder which has been cut in half by a laser. Photographs may not do the majesty of this baffling landmark justice, but it’ll sure make for an excellent talking point in the comments section.
Yellow Lake, Al Asfar, Eastern province
This shallow body of water in the wetlands of the Eastern Province is surrounded by sand dunes and lush greenery and is a thriving, diverse habitat for wildlife. During the breeding season, winter birds come to the lake and make excellent subjects for budding wildlife photographers. Getting to the top of the sand dunes can be a bit of a challenge, but your efforts will be rewarded with…
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